Morris Knapp's Obituary
Morris Jay ‘Mo’ Knapp passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Morris was born in Utica, NY, on October 4, 1924, to Margaret Louise Davies and Charles Dell Knapp. A graduate of Union Endicott High School, Morris joined the United States Army on March 4, 1943. He served with the 1145th Engineer Combat Group for three years. He returned home and married the love of his life, Thelma Mae Mitchell on August 17, 1946. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation he continued his 46 year career at IBM in Endicott, NY, Raleigh, NC, and finally Charlotte, NC as a mechanical engineer in Product Development. Designing keyboards was his specialty.
Mo died just 4 days short of his 76th wedding anniversary to Thelma. He is survived by his wife, Thelma Knapp; sister, Jane Knapp Richards; his five children, Bruce Knapp of Charlotte, Gail Knapp Cooke of Raleigh, Vicki Knapp Finley of Cary, Steve Knapp (Bonnie) of Covington, LA, and Christine Knapp Mowery of Salisbury. The couple has ten grandchildren, Jeff Knapp (April), Daniel Knapp, Melanie Cooke Humphries (Dru), Ryan Cooke (Jiselle), Danielle McGriff (Travis), Sydney Knapp Ahlstedt (Jeff), Sarah Knapp, Alex Mowery (Ammie), Josh Mowery, and Will Mowery. They have eleven great-grandchildren, Claire and Andrew Knapp, Jackson, Rachel, and Brock Humphries, Caleb Bunn, Aki Jones, Keil and Landri McGriff, Leif Ahlstedt, and Crocker Mowery.
Mr. Knapp was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Knapp and sisters, Betty McGregor, Peggy Howard, and Doris Knapp and grandson, Kyle Finley.
Mo lived a full life. He was dedicated to his family. He enjoyed bowling and golfing with Thelma as well as tennis and time with family and friends. He was a veteran of World War II, a Deacon in the church and served as chair of numerous committees throughout his years. Upon retirement, Mo and Thelma enjoyed traveling abroad.
The memorial service will be held at Huntersville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 12pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.
James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family and obituary lovingly written by the family.
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